BENTONVILLE — Prospective jurors in Zachary Holly's murder trial will be selected from the list of registered voters instead of driver's license rolls, according to Tuesday's ruling by Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
Holly, 30, is charged with capital murder, kidnapping, rape and residential burglary in connection with the death of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin May 8.
Prospective jurors are currently selected from the county's list of registered voters.
Holly's defense attorneys filed a motion seeking to expand the pool by also selecting prospective jurors from among a roll of licensed drivers and individuals with identification cards. The defense attorneys believe by expanding the jury pool then Holly's jury would contain a better cross section of the community rather than if the panel was only selected from the pool of registered voters.
Nathan Smith, Benton County's prosecuting attorney, argued against selecting prospective jurors from a roll of license drivers in the county. Smith wanted to follow the same procedures as they used in other criminal cases including capital ones.
Karren agreed with Smith. Karren wanted to follow the normal procedures and he denied the motion.
Holly lived next to Jersey’s family on Southeast A Street. He and his wife sometimes babysat Jersey and her younger sister, according to court documents.
A medical examiner determined Jersey died from asphyxia.
Jersey’s body was found Nov. 20, 2012 in an abandoned house next to Holly ’s home.
Holly is being held in the county jail without bond.